Independence Day to be celebrated as normal

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Services and Gender Affairs, Helen Royer

Independence Day will be celebrated, but with a difference, as we rebuild post Maria says Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Services and Gender Affairs, Helen Royer.

Royer, who was speaking at the daily press briefing on Friday, said although many doubted celebrations for this year, the Independence Day celebrations will go on.

“We in Dominica we realize the importance of our independence and thirty nine years is just too much to go unnoticed. The most important thing is we are still here, we are alive and well and I think we need to give thanks and praise to god. So this year celebration will be a celebration of a difference,” Royer explained.

Adding that preparations are underway for the uniformed parade on Independence Day, November 3, she said letters have been sent out and meeting held with stakeholders.

“We have also sought the help and assistance of service providers and we have discussed plans for the stadium set up which is in place. We have notified everybody and they are aware of their roles and responsibilities. We are also working on the grounds making sure that everything is in place and from what we have seen and heard everything seems to be in place,” she said.

There will also be a message from Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau Gabriel Malzaire as well as cultural performance on Independence Day. Though the program is scheduled to be a short one, it will still be enjoyable she said.

“We had to prepare a reduced program. With the impact of Hurricane Maria on Dominica, there is no way we could have done everything like we would have liked to but we will be having a program. We are very delighted to be part of this event and we have the support of all Dominicans who pride themselves on being Dominicans. We are resilient people and we can continue to enjoy what Dominica has achieved,” stated Royer.